You will visit

Rio de JaneiroAtoms/Icons/Arrow DestinationCreated with Sketch.Lima

Trip Comfort

Budget

Age requirement

12 to 100 years old

From the sands of Copacabana to the heights of the Bolivian Andes, this incredible 39-day journey will introduce you to the diverse landscape and people of South America. Explore the wetlands of the Pantanal and the bizarre landscape of Salar de Uyuni, and revel in the mists of thundering Iguassu Falls. Gain greater insight into the culture on the region’s public buses and meet locals from the rural towns along the way for an immersive experience that few travellers have. Get off the beaten path and experience Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia — a vibrant cross-section of South America.

Starts

Rio de Janeiro

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39 Days

Ends

Lima

Itinerary

Day 1 — Rio de Janeiro

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Arrive at any time.

Day 2 — Rio de Janeiro

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In the morning, explore the favela with a local resident on a G Adventures-supported tour to watch a drumming demonstration, get a Capoeira lesson, and sample craft beers with a new perspective of the city. Enjoy a free afternoon to discover all that Rio has to offer.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 3 — Rio de Janeiro/Ilha Grande

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Take a bus and ferry to Ilha Grande. Enjoy free time to explore this picturesque, laid-back island, opt to go on a hike to a nearby swimming hole or explore the many beaches.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 4 — Ilha Grande

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Ilha Grande is a car-free island surrounded by beautiful nature. Opt to go for a hike, swim, or sit at one of the beach bars.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 5 — Ilha Grande/Paraty

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Travel up the coast to Paraty and wander the cobblestoned streets of this beautiful colonial town.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 6 — Paraty

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Enjoy a free day to explore Paraty. Optional activities include a Caipirinha boat trip, kayaking and horseback riding.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 7 — Paraty

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Continue to enjoy the slow pace of Paraty, a colonial town with fantastic architecture, or opt to take a day trip to Trindade to surf and relax on the beach.

Day 8 — Paraty/Iguaçu Falls

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Take a flight to the famous Iguassu Falls. Skip the 19 hour journey by land and hop a flight to Iguassu from São Paulo.
Visit the Brazilian side of the falls to get the best panoramic view.

Day 9 — Iguaçu Falls

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Experience Iguassu in Argentina by exploring trails and catwalks. Opt to take a boat tour to view the falls from below.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 10 — Iguaçu Falls/Bonito

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Embark on the long travel journey to Bonito.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 11 — Bonito

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Spend time in Bonito with optional activities available like snorkelling in the rivers or exploring the nearby caves and waterfalls.

Day 12 — Bonito/Pantanal

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Journey into the Pantanal, a perfect place to experience the wildlife of Brazil. Enjoy a 2-day excursion into the wetlands with a local guide.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 13 — Pantanal

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Full day of exploring the Pantanal. Try piranha fishing or horseback riding. Opportunities to spot wildlife such as monkeys, macaws, giant otters and caiman.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 14 — Pantanal/Santa Cruz de la Sierra

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Leave the Pantanal and head for the border. Board an overnight bus to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 15 — Santa Cruz de la Sierra/Sucre

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Hop on a flight to Bolivia's colonial gem, Sucre. Enjoy a few days in the city to recover from the journey from Brazil, opt to go hiking or take it easy.

Day 16 — Sucre

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Spend a few days exploring all that Sucre has to offer.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 17 — Sucre

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Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 18 — Sucre

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Enjoy free time to explore all that Sucre has to offer.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 19 — Sucre/Potosí

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Journey from Sucre to Potosí. Spend the afternoon exploring the city.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 20 — Potosí/Uyuni

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Head south to Uyuni, the starting point for the salt flats excursion.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 21 — Uyuni/Salt Flats

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Enjoy a 3-day 4x4 excursion to the Salar de Uyuni and surrounding desert altiplano, with spectacular scenery.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 22 — Salt Flats

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Continue to discover the Salar de Uyuni on a 4x4 excursion. Last stop for the evening is a G Adventures-supported community lodge in a traditional agricultural village in the heart of a desert oasis.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 23 — Salt Flats/Uyuni

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Enjoy a final day of exploring the Salar de Uyuni before boarding an overnight bus back to La Paz .

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Day 24 — La Paz

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Enjoy a free day in the capital, walk along the winding streets, shop in the markets and enjoy the nightlife. For the thrill seekers opt to bike the famous "death road".

Day 25 — La Paz

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Enjoy another free day to explore La Paz. Opt to visit Iglesia de San Francisco, Chacaltaya, the Valley of the Moon or the Witches' Market.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 26 — La Paz

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Visit the pre-Incan ruins of Tiahuanaco.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 27 — La Paz/Puno

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Travel by bus through the altiplano, crossing the border to the Peruvian city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 28 — Puno/Lake Titicaca

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Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca with a homestay in a small village.

Meals: BREAKFAST, DINNER

Day 29 — Lake Titicaca/Puno

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Visit the floating islands of Uros before returning to Puno. Opt to visit the Sillustani burial site.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Day 30 — Puno/Cusco

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Hop on the bus for a full day's drive to Cusco.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 31 — Cusco

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Enjoy a free day to explore the city's museums and local markets. Choose to pre-book the optional Cusco Cooking Class. Opt for a city tour to see some of the ruins as well.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 32 — Cusco/Ollantaytambo

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Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH

Day 33 — Inca Trail

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Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where the Inca Trail begins. Ease into the adventure with a straightforward day of hiking the meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Incan ruins.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 34 — Inca Trail

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Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 35 — Inca Trail

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Cross two more passes and ruins on today's trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins ("forever young") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).

Meals: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

Day 36 — Machu Picchu/Cusco

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The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the site and enjoy free time to explore until noon as permitted by the tourist ticket. Opt to visit the Inca Bridge, if time allows. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes to meet any non-hiking members of your group. Eat and relax before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 37 — Cusco

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Enjoy a free day to explore Cusco or relax. Active options include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Meals: BREAKFAST

Day 38 — Cusco/Lima

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Fly to Lima. Opt for a city tour or wander the neighbourhood of Miraflores.